Shavkat Rakhmonov just can’t seem to catch a break. The undefeated Kazakh welterweight, who boasts a perfect 19-0 record, was expected to make his long-awaited return in January next year, with Michael Morales emerging as a potential opponent. However, any return plans may now be in jeopardy following another setback in his recovery.
According to recent reports from Russian MMA outlets, Rakhmonov has re-injured his knee, potentially delaying his comeback even further. The reports claimed, “Knee cannot withstand strain.”
With this latest setback, the earliest projected timeline for his return has now reportedly shifted to June 2027.
Russian media reports that Shavkat Rakhmonov has re-injured his knee. His earliest return date can be as late as June 2027 😮💨
“Knee cannot withstand strain”
(h/t @DovySimuMMA) https://t.co/5xiFxZgUQK
— MMA On Point (@mmaonpoint) November 7, 2026
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Rakhmonov has not competed since UFC 310 in December 2024, when he secured a hard-fought victory over Ian Garry despite entering the fight with a significant knee problem.
The 19-0 contender had suffered tears to both his ACL and meniscus. He initially explored conservative treatment through rest and rehabilitation before eventually undergoing surgery on January 31, 2026. At the time, his recovery was expected to take approximately nine to 10 months.
Since then, fans have been following his progress through occasional updates from his coaching team. Several clips showed Rakhmonov gradually returning to training, working on his conditioning and even participating in sparring sessions. However, there was already some concern about how soon he could realistically compete again.
In May 2026, his manager Daniel Rubenstein indicated that the early prognosis suggested the former title challenger might not be ready to fight until 2027. Despite the lengthy recovery, supporters remained hopeful that he could eventually return to the form that made him one of the most feared contenders in the division.
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Now, reports of another knee setback have raised fresh questions about his future. Recovering from an ACL and meniscus injury is already a demanding process, and another complication could make the road back considerably more difficult. Dominick Cruz is one of the most prominent examples of how recurring knee problems can derail an otherwise remarkable MMA career.
Rakhmonov’s prolonged absence has already cost him his place among the UFC’s ranked welterweights. He was removed from the official rankings in February 2026 after spending nearly 13 months away from competition.
There had recently been renewed excitement surrounding his potential return after Rakhmonov posted a TikTok hinting at a possible matchup with Michael Morales. However, Morales has since been booked against Carlos Prates for the interim welterweight championship at UFC 336, further complicating the Kazakh fighter’s comeback plans.
For someone who was once considered a future UFC champion, this has been an incredibly frustrating stretch. Rakhmonov still has plenty of time to rebuild his career, but his immediate priority will be getting his knee back to full strength.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
